Lighter mechanism



Oct. 29, 193 5. T; MJGIIBSON LIGHTER MECHANISM Filed Aug. 16. 1333 ATTOREYS g lightein which the operating parts can be easily Patented a. 9, 1935 UNITED STATES LIGHTER MECHANISM Thomas M. Gibson, North Attlcboro, Masa, as signor to Evans Case Company, North Attleboro, Masa, a corporation of Massachusetts Application August 16,1933, Serial No. 685,313

6 Claims. (01. 67-7.!)

The invention relates to pyrophoric lighters, and with regard; to its more specific features to a pocket lighter.

One object of the invention is to provide a assembled aiidillsassembledgwl bj f be pressed into shape from flat metal. stock. The casing members II and 12' may be permanently secured together as by soldering. The fuel receptacle [0 also includes a top wall l3 which may comprise a single flat metal stamping insomuch 6 as the igniting mechanism, to be hereinafter dethe invention is to provide a lighterinwhich thmisc dbed, is extremely compact and adapted for parts can be quickly replaced. Another object of the invention is to provide a lighter having a fuel receptacle which is readily accessible, for example to replace the absorbent cotton or the wick. Another object of the invention is to provide a lighter mechanism of simple inexpensive constructiqnylllich shall be reliable in operation.

Anc'the'fobject minventionis to providei mounting-on--a fiat top wall. The top wall l3 may be permanently fastened to the casing members 'H and I2 as by soldering. 1

Referring now to Figure 2 in connection with Figure 5, I provide a removable bottom it for the receptacle 10 which may also comprise a single metalstamping. As shown in Figures 2 and the bottom wall It has a circumferential flange 5 lighter mechanism adapted for mounting on a ffinerging'kha circumferential upwardly exvery simple form of casing. Another object of the invention is to provide a simple manner and means for securing a removable bottom to a lighter. Another objectof the invention is to provide a lighter of compact external form with the operating parts well protected, Another object of the invention is to provide an easily operated lighter. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part p d gut hgreinaiten The'invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts as will be'exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the mechanical features of this invention. H, mm

Figure l is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on an en'- larged scale of the lighter of Figure 1; g

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to the upper part of Figure showingtiie sniifer removed from Figures 4 and 5 are respectively the top and bottom plan views of the lighter on the same scale as Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view on a line 6-4 of Figure 2;

Figures 7 and ii are perspective views respectively of the finger piece and the abrasive wheel operating pawl.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring to Figure 1, I provide a. fuel receptacle which is generally indicated by the numeral l0 and which desirably consists'of a pair of chantaken nel shaped casing members H and I2 which may of the screws 22 and 28, the slots therein being tending shoulder I'd Extending between the top wall l3 and the bottom wall It is a tube H to receive a piece of pyrophoric material l8-and a spring l9 to urge the pyrophoric material l8 into engagement with an abrasive wheel 20. The up per end of the tube l1 passes throughranopening- "just large enough to receive it in the top wall l3 -Still referring to Figures 2 and 5, another dish-shaped portion26 formed in the bottom wall I4 receives a slotted head 21 of a screw 28 havin a diameter preferably substantially larger than "that of the screw 22 and being hollow in order to receive a slit tubular cap 29 which comprises 40 a compartment for extra pieces of pyrophoric material. The screw 28 is in threaded engage? ment with a bracket 30 secured, as by soldering, to the inside of the casing members H and I2.

The bottom may be removed by unscrewing both desirably made of a size to fit a.v dime or a penny. The pressure exerted by the screws is transmitted directly to the brackets 2| and 30 and thus has no tendency to dislodge or bend the spring retain-- ing tube I1. The bottom I4 can be secured very tightly to the receptacle l0 by means of the screws 22 and 28 thus to prevent the escape of fuel from the receptacle, and a leather washer 3| is desirably provided between the flange I 5 and the bottom of the receptacle l0 to make a tight for the same purpose.

means of securing aremovable bottomtoalighter dicated by dotted lines in Figure 3. when the seal. Likewise leather washers 32 and 33 are secured to the underside of the cover 40. The desirably provide above the heads 24 andv 21. arms 59, 59 are preferably formed from a, single piece integral with connecting portion 50 which is 1 The foregoing constitutes a simple and effective soldered to the cover 40, the portion 60 being inand has many advantages such asthat the screws finger piece 50 is moved forwardly the pins 51 ordinarily used for filling closure and pyrophoric riding in the slots 58 move the arms 59 raising tube closure are utilized while the unscrewing the cover 40 and lifting the cap 39 from the wick of either of the screws 22 and 28 does not remove 36 as shown by a comparison of Figures 2 and 3. i the bottom. Thus a new piece of pyrophoric ma- Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, I provide a 10 terial I 8 may be placed in the tube l'l-without spring 8| normally to urge the'finger piece 50 to removing the bottom l4, and likewisethe recepthe right as viewed in the drawing. At such tacle l0 can be filled from the filling opening 34- times the finger piece exerts a pressure through through which the screw 28 extends. when the the arms 56, pins 51, arms 59 and cover 40 to bottom I4 is removed ready access is afforded tomaintain the cap 39 in tight engagement with the 15 the inside of the receptacle III for the replacetube 31 to prevent the evaporation of, the fuel. ent of absorbent material 35 or wick 36. Thus I desirably mount the spring 6! on a stud 62 according to the invention the otherwise diifihaving a threaded P t I188! its Slotted head cult matter of threading a wick through a wick which threaded portion is in engagement with the 4 tube is rendered very easy of accomplishment. rear wall 53v of the finger piece 50 and also. with- Referring now to Figure 3 and the upper part of .a-bracket 64 secured to the inside of the wall 53 Figure 2, the wick tube 31 which receives the wick t provide addit o al scr w thr ads and for a 36 passes through and is secured to the top wall p p e which Wi l hereinaf r appear- The stud I3 as by soldering. The wick tube 31 hasaconical $2 extends through a bracket G5 secured to the seat 38 which is normally engaged by a snuifer p wall i3 thus providing a compression surcap 39 having an internal conical seat adapted c t wh he Spring 6| reacts, the

to fit the seat 38. The-cap 39 is secured, as-by bracket 55 e180 ing in i n h n er soldering,toacover u whichispivotally mounted piece 50- The. fin er pi e 50 w be by means of a hinge 4i to a top casing 42 eentirely removed from the casing 42 in the concured, as by soldering, to the top -wall I3. The struction shown so far'asthe stud 62 is concerned. casing 42 forms an enclm for the spark pro- TO disconnect the arms-59 from the pins 51 is ducing mechanism including the wheel 20 and n y matter the 59 n be ily also for the wick 3i and wick tube 31 and conrelation with the casing 42 and closing the dther- W flexed inwardly for the required disengaging stitu ewise'a shield to prevent extinguishmovement.

ment of the flame by the wind. The casing 42 Referring n w P i rly to Figure 8, I prois open at the righthand end, Figures 1 and 3,and vide a pair of multi-toothed pawls I0, 10 having has a substantially rectangular opening 43 in the pawl teeth 1|, II and being in the form of a pair top thereof which is normally closed by the of bars connected by across p welhwtntk overlapping cover 40. w The cross-piece 12 extends laterally beyond e Referring nowmoreparticularlytoFIgm-e 6, the bars 10,10 and the ends thereof are, when the abrasive wheel 20 has rigidly secured to it a pair mechanism is assembled, received in opposite inof ratchet wheels 44 and 45, one on either side "clined slots 13, 13 in the side pieces 52, 52 of the of the abrasive wheel 20, the wheels 20, 44 and 45' finger piece-. 5; which slots are best shown in Figbeing coaxial and having a bore for the recepure '1. Reierring again to Figlife 8;at the other x tion of an axial shaft 46 in theform of a screw end of the bars 10, III are laterally extending pins 45. whose head is supported by one side wall 41 of g l4, 14 which, when the parts are assembled, fit in the casing 42, and-whose threaded end is in inclined slots 15, 15 in the-front ends of the exthreaded engagement with the other side wall 48 tensions 55, 55 (refer again to Figure 7). Reof the casing 42, the wheels 20, 44 and 45 being ferring nowtoFigures2 and4, the bracket 64 supthus freely mounted for rotation on the shaft ports apin l6 and between this pin I6 and the 50 46 and being easily removable. A cross-bar 'l2 extends a spring 11 Referring now to Figures 1 to inelusiv f I Thus the multi-toothed pawls III are mounted provide a slidable finger piece 58 in telescopic inthe finger piece 50 for movement in an inclined direction, and by reason of the spring 11 the pawl wise open end of said casing and mounted for members 10, III are urged upwardly and to the horizontal sliding movement on the tom-m respect to the fingerpiece 50. It is This finger piece 50 has a box-shaped portionno tkthepawls 10, ID may be quickly ascomprising upper wall SI and a pair of side walls sembled and assembled with respect to the 52, 52 and the back wall 53, all of which parts finger piece 50 by merely'slightly springing-apart are integrally. connected. The finger piece so the sides 52 and extensions 55. further provides a finger engaging portion 54 Considering now Figures 2, 3 and 6, the pawl which is preferably knurled as shown. The finger members 10, III are in engagement with the ratchet piece 50 is of a size to fit inside the casing 42 in wheels 44 and 45 and by reason of the inclination sliding telescopic engagement therewith so as to of the teeth and pawls when the finger piece 5!) permit free motion of the finger piece, to acis moved forwardly and to the left in Figure 2, -curately 'align the finger piece with relation to the pawl members rotate the wheels 44, and 45 and the casing 42, and to keep dirt out of the opertherefore also the abrasive wheel 20. As heretoating mechanism; fore pointed out the abrasive wheel 20 is in en- Extending forwardly from the side's52, 52 of gagement with the pyr phoric member 18, and the finger piece 50 are integral extensions- 55, 55 thus movement of the finger piece 50 forwardly whichsupport upwardly extending integral exthrows a shower of sparks. upon the wick 36. tensions 56, 56. Substantially at the upper end When the finger is released,;however, reverse roof the extensions 56, 56 are located inwardly extation of the wheels 20, 44 and 45 is not efi'ected, tending pins 51, 51 which normally fit in slots 58. as the bar 12 and the pin 14 move forwardly in 58 provided in downwardly extending arms 59. II the slots 13 and I5 lowering the pawl teeth 1|, H

out of engagement with the wheels 44 and 45. A very light spring 11 will su'fllce to give the proper coaction between the pawl members and the ratchet wheels, since the pressure between these parts in the forward direction urges them into engagement, and in the rearward or return direction urges them out of engagement, by reason of the inclination of the slots 13 and IS.

'Rotation of the wheel 20 is exceedingly rapid and in fact can be increased by reducing the diameter of the wheels 44 and 45. Furthermore a quick andwide opening of the cover 40 is eifected by movement of the finger piecesince the arm 58 is relatively short. As shown in Figure 3 the cap 39 is completely removed from the flame.

Let it be assumed that the spark producing echanism is completely disassembled, but that he cap 39 and cover 40 are mounted on the hinge -4l.- It will be seen thatthe casing 42 is readily accessible for cleaning or for any other purpose, and if the removable bottom l4 be removed the fuel receptacle may be reached and a fresh wick 3B veryeasily threaded in place. The pawls I0. 10 .and associated parts may be quickly snapped into place in the finger piece 50, and the spring II connected, all this being done while said parts are completely removed from the casing 42. Now, assuming the stud 62 is in place with the spring 8| on it, the finger piece can now be slid into position in the casing 42, the stud 62 readily passing through the bracket 65. Holding the parts thus. the wheels 20, 44 and 45 are now inserted and the axial screw 46 screwed in place. The arms 59 may now be snapped into position on the pins 51, the the lighter is ready for operation. It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this invention an article in which the various objects hereinabove set forth, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as manychanges might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a lighter, a fuel receptacle being substan tially a rectangular parallelepiped, a wick projecting from the top of said receptacle, a sparking wheel mounted on said receptacle, a finger piece and connecting means to operate said wheel to throw sparks upon said wick, a tube projecting through the top of said receptacle holding a piece ofpyrophoric metal against said wheel, said tube being threaded at the bottom thereof, a removable bottom for said receptacle, a closure screw for said tube also acting to hold said bottom in place, a filling opening screw for said bottom also serving to hold said bottom in place, and means attached to said receptacle on the inside thereof having screw I threads for cooperation with said closure screw.

2. In a lighter, a fuel receptacle, lighter mechanism on the top of said fuel receptacle including a wick, a sparking wheel and a finger piece and an operative connection between the finger piece and sparking wheel whereby actuation of the finger piece rotates the sparking wheel, a tube extending substantially the length of said fuel receptacle but terminating above the lower edges thereof and holding a piece of pyrophoric metal in engagement with said wheel, a removable bottom to said fuel receptacle, a spring in said tube, a closure screw for said tube holding said spring in place therein, there being a hole through said removable bottom, and the closure screw passing through said hole and having a head located under the removable bottom whereby tosecure the removable bottom in place. 5

3. In a lighter, the combination with a fuel receptacle having a flat top wall, a wick tube extending into said fuel receptacle and projecting from the top wall, a tube extending through the receptacle, a sparking wheel mounted on a horil0- zontal axis above said tube, a pair of ratchet wheels one on either side of said sparking wheel and connected thereto, a finger piece mounted upon the top of said receptacle, a pair of ratchet racks positioned to mesh with said ratchet wheels and each having both ends mounted on said finger piece for movement toward and away from said ratchet wheels, and means including a spring attached to said finger piece urging said ratchet racks into engagement, with said ratchet wheels.

4. A pocket lighter comprising a flat rectangular parallelepipedal casing, an end wall of thecasing constituting a top wall of the lighter and being itself an elongated rectangle, a second rectangular parallelepipedal casing mounted on said top wall, a cross-section thereof being substan- I tially square, a lid or cover for one end of the top of the second rectangular parallelepipedal casing and hinged thereto, a wick located under said lid or cover, a wick tube'for said wick, a snuifer cap attached to the under side of said lid or cover and-so positioned thereon as to seat on said wick tube, an abrasive wheel under said hinge rotatable about a horizontal axis, pyrophoric metal in engagement with said wheel, actuating means for said lid or cover and for said abrasive wheel movably'mounted relative to both in, normal position.

5. A pocket lighter comprising a fuel receptacle having a flat top wall, a sparking wheel horizontally iournaled above said top wall, a pair of ratchet wheels secured to said sparking wheel one on either side thereof, a pair of multi-toothed pawls located in a horizontal plane above said top wall and under'said ratchet wheel and in floating engagement therewith, a horizontally movable finger piece carrying both ends of said pawls, a snuffer pivotally mounted above said top wall, a pin and slot connection between said snuifer and said finger piece tolift said snuiler' when the finger piece is moved to rotate said sparking wheel, the outer end of said finger piece being so positioned that'its free end does not extend beyond the plane of the sidewall of the receptacle from which it moves inwardly upon operation, and; means completely encasing said sparking wheel, said ratchet wheels, said pawls, and said snuifer when said finger piece is in nonigniting position. a

6. In a pocket-lighter, the combination a fuel receptacle having a fiat top wall, a wick tube extending into said fuel receptacle and projecting from said top wall, a tube extending through the receptacle, a sparking wheel mounted .on a horizontal axis above said tube, a pair of gear wheels one on either side of said sparking wheel and connected thereto, a finger piece mounted on the top of said receptacle and movable horizontally therealong, the outer end of said finger piece lying substantially in-the plane with a 9,019,48Q; oi. the side wall of the receptacle when in nonsaidgear wheels, and means completely enclos ing' said top wall, said tubes, said gear wheels, said racks, said mounting, and said spring means when said finger piece is in non-igniting position.

THOMAS M. GIBSON. 

